Top 10 cold visits in Périgord

Is it summer, or late/before season? What to do in the Dordogne when it's hot? Do you want to take refuge in a shady or sheltered place, pleasant to decompress and better withstand the heat? Follow our top 10 of the Dordogne to organize a visit, a getaway in a cool place. You can also save these good ideas for the hottest hours of the day, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.!

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Visit the caves of Périgord

What better than a cave to protect yourself from the heat? Our ancestors understood this well! It is 13 degrees all year round, so in summer, remember to take a sweater or a jacket to avoid major temperature shocks. Whether it is caves decorated with parietal paintings, engravings, or caves with concretions where nature and limestone have sculpted magnificent drapes, columns, stalagmites... You will be in heaven in the caves of Périgord!

The rock shelters of Périgord, visits in the past

Rock shelters, chasms and troglodyte villages… This is an exceptional natural and historical heritage in Périgord! Immerse yourself in the life of our ancestors, understand the way of life of the people of the cliffs. Come walk in the troglodyte houses, formerly inhabited and which allowed humanity to settle in our valleys. Beauty of the landscape, presence of the river, safety thanks to high viewpoints and woods, food in abundance, the Dordogne was a paradise for the dawn of humanity.

The gardens to visit, havens of freshness and beauty

In Périgord, we really have sumptuous gardens… Even if you're not keen on botany, you can't help but be amazed by these flowerbeds, sometimes organized in formal gardens or wild and free! Nature in its most beautiful light, the freshness of the trees... Come and discover the gardens of Dordogne!

Visit the castles of Périgord, to restore old stones in the cool

What better than walls more than 1m thick to protect against the heat of the sun? Come and visit the castles of Dordogne, to be amazed, to learn more about the history of our territory. Family castles, large historic castles, smaller but charming residences... There are 1001 castles in Périgord to discover!

Bathing places to keep cool in the Dordogne

Of course, in Périgord, we don't have the sea, but we have ideas! We have lakes with leisure bases to offer you to cool off, relax and enjoy aquatic leisure activities with the family. Do you like fishing? Come tease the fish in our lakes and rivers. Did you know that you can also swim in the rivers (the biggest but also the smallest), there is always a corner of the beach (sometimes with the supervision of a professional) or a small creek waiting for you. Be very careful when bathing in the white, natural waters!

Tree climbing and courses in the trees in the Dordogne

Do you want to spend yourself, to occupy the children or the teenagers, but cool? Discover the many tree climbing courses, courses in the trees of Périgord. We are spoiled, there are many and of all the difficulties. The courses in the trees are very reassuring, supervised by professionals. Sometimes it's simple hiking in height, but sometimes real sports courses, it's adapted to your desire and your level!

A tour in a barge, the typical flat-bottomed boats of the region

The gabarres are historic boats, formerly used, especially on the Dordogne, to transport wood, wine, cannons or various things on the river. It was a real epic which went from the construction of the barges, then we had to wait for high water (because the dams regulating the level of the water did not exist at the time) and the brave barge-drivers threw themselves up to Bordeaux, to transport materials! The barge was then dismantled and sold raw. You will find out more by taking a boat trip. Be careful, it can get very hot on the water! Also, for this activity it is preferable, if you are looking for fresh air, to take a walk early in the morning or late at the end of the day!

A Canoe Kayak trip in Périgord

It's the same principle! Leave early in the morning or at the end of the day, the more sporty who are looking for adventure will not hesitate to inquire about roaming for several days in a canoe/kayak, many rental companies offer this service. Canoeing or kayaking is a very popular activity in Périgord. The rivers are magnificent, the landscapes breathtaking and you can swim and picnic on the banks.

Take an introduction to caving in Périgord

Caving seems complicated to you? In the Dordogne, there are hundreds of caves and some (apart from those which are tourist sites), are open for supervised caving. Either you go through a professional who will offer you this kind of outing all year round, or you go through the active summer scheme (ask the Tourist Offices). But be careful, never go alone!!

Go fishing

Come and tease the fish in Périgord. At the edge of our ponds or our rivers, it is cool and pleasant. We relax, we take advantage of the natural environment while practicing a rewarding sport for the whole family. Bring your equipment if you are a fisherman or do initiations!

We wish you a very good holiday in the Dordogne!

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